Wanted: a few good Production Assistants

Maybe you’re new to filmmaking. Maybe you don’t know which aspect to explore first. Maybe you’re dying to get involved, but are embarrassed because you don’t know the first thing about making a movie.

Can you walk and talk? If the answer is yes, we’re not only willing to have you on our crew, we need you.

From the crew’s point of view, Production Assistants are the main source of information on a film set. It’s an entry-level job, but an important one. Each day, good PA’s arm themselves with as much information as they can get their hands on – call sheets and shooting schedules, the moment-to-moment whereabouts of every key crew member and the cast, where the bathrooms are, and where and at what time the crew will be eating lunch – and each day they are relied upon to convey that information to everyone who asks. Despite being at the bottom of the film industry food chain, they are expected to know everything and if you do, it can pay off in all kinds of opportunities to learn and network your way to a better job.
Read on to see the PA Checklist…
The PA checklist

At the beginning of each shoot day, arm yourself with the following items:

I am an independent filmmaker looking to get more hands-on experience! I have just relocated to the Bay Area from New York City and if you still need PAs, I am available and enthusiastic about the opportunity to work on set!

I am new to filmmaking and do not know how to get started. I have previous stage/youth theater experience and had a dream of becoming an actress since childhood. Aspiring working actress in film so any experience that I can get on set would be great. It takes a village to create a movie production and I want to learn all aspects of filmmaking. PA is an excellent start to learning the ropes so count me in!

If you are there *on-time* that’s often fine. Earlier is better. PA’s are often the grease that keeps the machine moving.

Attitude is everything. The “can-do” person (who asks questions when they don’t know how-to) is much better than the “I’m bored” person who drains everyone’s energy.

Having a nice, upbeat personality is great. Don’t let it go overboard when your producer/director is having a melt-down (ie don’t get involved), but if you give them an ice cold water when they’re freaking out b/c of stress, you may be remembered for your good nature.

PA can be a thankless job, but I’ve done it a bunch & I almost always have a blast. Sometimes (on Hollywood productions) they may treat you like dirt, but don’t take it personally, have a smile and a business card and if you tough out the rough patches you might get a break.

Hello…I am a new member to Scary Cow and I am very interested in being a PA. I feel I was born for this job. I am constantly multitasking with efficiency, and I am very organized and up beat! I find my best quality is enthusiasm and I am ready for action! Please let me know if i can be of assitance to any project! I am happy to help!

Hello I live in the bay area and would like to work more on the set to become familiar with the career I want to do. Ive written scripts, acted, directed as well as produced I have the triple threat when it comes to this and I would like to make it a career.

Hi, Great List. One thing though, I was told by a seasoned grip back when I got started to not run on set. He said if someone is running something has gone wrong and it makes people nervous. A brisk walk is cool. And it looks like you mean business.